When an Indian child is placed in the custody of the department, the department shall work with the parent, the guardian, the Indian custodian or the Indian child's tribe to establish membership, at the direction of the parent or the Indian tribe. The department shall not determine tribal membership. An Indian tribe shall have the sole right to determine membership and membership eligibility, as defined by the Indian tribe's law, custom, tradition and practice. The department shall provide records to assist with determining membership eligibility at the request of the parent or the Indian child's tribe.History: Laws 2022, ch. 41, § 6. ANNOTATIONSEffective dates. — Laws 2022, ch. 41, § 74 made Laws 2022, ch. 41, § 6 effective July 1, 2022.Severability. — Laws 2022, ch. 41, § 72 provided that if any provision of the Indian Family Protection Act, related provisions in other sections of New Mexico law or the application of such laws to any person or circumstances is held invalid for any reason in a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity does not affect other provisions of the Indian Family Protection Act and related laws.
New Mexico Legal Code